CM Punjab Maryam Nawaz reaches China on first official visit

BEIJING: Chief Minister of Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has arrived in Beijing on an official visit to China where she was accorded a warm welcome at the Beijing International Airport.

Upon arrival, she was presented with a bouquet, and six senior officials of the Communist Party of China (CPC) were present to welcome her. Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi and his wife also received her.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz met a high-level delegation of the Communist Party of China during her visit.

The delegation, led by CPC Deputy Director General Lin Tao, expressed gratitude and warmly welcomed Maryam Nawaz and her team.

In her remarks, the Chief Minister highlighted the enduring strength of Pak-China friendship and said, “The relationship between our nations is touching new heights. With China’s cooperation, we aim to raise the economic and development momentum of Punjab.”

She also thanked the Chinese people on behalf of Punjab and its citizens.

The welcoming delegation included CPC Deputy Director General Lin Tao, Counselor for South Asian Affairs Li Jianyuan, Deputy Director of Southeast Bureau Chen Zhanbo, Attaché for South Asian Affairs Sheng Guo, Chen Yubo and Zhu Chenyu.

Several officials from the Pakistani embassy were also present.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz was accompanied by Senator Pervez Rashid, Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Minister for Information and Culture Zahid Bukhari and Bilal Akbar and Ashiq Kirmani, among other officials.

The Chief Minister’s eight-day official visit will begin tomorrow and will include engagements in Chinese hospitals, schools and various other institutions.